Page 320 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Zygaenidae
DISTRIBUTION Southeastern United States
HABITAT Forests, forest edges, and disturbed habitats
HOST PLANTS Carolina Laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana)
NOTE Toxic, sluglike caterpillar that defoliates its hosts
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
⁄ – ⁄ in (15–21 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
½ in (13 mm)
NEOPROCRIS FLORIDANA
LAURELCHERRY SMOKY MOTH
318
TARMANN, 1984

Laurelcherry Smoky Moth caterpillars feed on the underside
of leaves. As young caterpillars they are found in groups,
as eggs are laid in clusters. Later they disperse to feed alone
or in pairs. There are usually numerous larvae on each plant,
so the plants’ tough leaves are often completely skeletonized.
Actual size
When that happens, the caterpillars suspend themselves on silk
threads to nd a new host plant. The larvae behave similarly if

disturbed, so dropping o the host plant appears also to be a
defense against predators. Larger caterpillars are aposematically
colored, probably indicating their toxicity, as they feed on
The Laurelcherry Smoky Moth caterpillar is cyanogenic, glycoside-rich host plant leaves. Contact with a
yellow and white with black lines. It is covered full-grown caterpillar can cause mild skin irritation.
with verrucae carrying venomous setae. The
head retracts into the body and can be seen
more clearly if the larva is viewed from
underneath or when feeding. The Laurelcherry Smoky Moth produces three generations a
year and diapauses as a pupa. The adults, though dark colored,
look like wasps and have an iridescent abdomen suggesting that
the caterpillars sequester the toxic chemicals and pass on the
chemical defense to the moths. The species may be a part of
a mimicry complex that includes wasps and other insects.